Falling (out of) Love

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Chapter 4 - Inside Three Broomsticks

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            "So…why'd you ask me here?" Hermione asked, sipping on her butterbeer.

            "Well, er…" Fred began, squirming in his seat.

            "C'mon, Fred."

            "Well…it's cause I wanted to get to know you better." He said after a moment. Hermione rolled her eyes.

            "The truth." She said. Fred grinned.

            "It was sort of a bet." But then quickly added, "but I wouldn't mind getting to know you better."

            "Well," Hermione began, laughing, "I accepted because I 'sort of' wanted to show Ron that guys liked me since he's been dating everyone in sight-"

            "And who better to do it with then his own brother!" Fred said as  Hermione blushed pink. "I like the way you think." After a pause, he said, "Say, Hermione, you up for a little deception?" As they talked, Ron & Parvati entered. Ron cringed at the sight of the couple in the corner. They got a table where, unfortunately, Ron could see his brother and Hermione just over Parvati's shoulder.

            "So, uh, Parvati," he hardly got a word in when she started talking.

            "Oh, Ron, you're just the sweetest guy I mean I've never really fancied you before but that one day when you like asked me out I was like well maybe he isn't so bad after all…" Ron wondered if she ever took a breath as she continued to blab away.

            "Oh, look, it's Ron!" Fred pointed out.

            "Oh, it is!" Hermione exclaimed.

            "He's looking our way." Fred warned. "Ready for part 'A'?" Hermione giggled nervously and nodded. Fred moved toward her and Hermione tilted her head. She didn't really like him, but imagined the kiss would be quick and friendly. What she didn't imagine was to be getting chills and feeling – feeling a spark? With Fred? Fred Weasley? He must have felt the same because his mouth opened slightly. Hermione cautiously let her tongue enter his mouth. He touched her chin, pulling her into him, but she turned away.

            "I'm sorry. That wasn't supposed to be, um, like, that." Hermione said, her face still turned away. Fred's nose was almost touching her cheek and she could feel his warm breath on her skin.

            "Well I rather enjoyed it." He said and smiled before moving back in his seat. Turning her face slowly back to him, she smiled also.

            "Me too." She said truthfully.

            "Let's go." Ron said to Parvati after spotting the kiss. She was still rambling with no breathing breaks.

            "Was it something I said?" She asked. "Cause if it was I didn't really mean to offend you I mean when I mentioned that thing about-" Annoyed, he grabbed her wrist and left.

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            "George! Please! Can we go?" Ginny whined from behind the cash register. He was laughing with some seventh year girl that Ginny presumed was the almighty Shirley. He'd be in a trance for the next week. Ginny rolled her eyes and dragged Harry out from behind the counter.

            "See ya George!" Ginny yelled, over her shoulder.

            "Yeah – er – bye!" Harry managed to say before he was pulled out the door.

            "So, Harry," Ginny let go of him and slowed to his pace.

            "Yeah?" He seemed distracted.

            "Do you think Fred truly fancies Hermione?"

            "Oh, come on, Ginny. There are loads more important things then this. I mean, I haven't heard anything about Voldemort-"Ginny shuddered – "all summer!"

            "Harry, please! You're only sixteen! It's not a crime to worry about something else and have fun for a while! When Dumbledore needs you, then become the hero. But, c'mon, just be Harry for now."  Harry stared at Ginny for a moment. He looked at her hand on his arm and looked back at her.

            "You're right."

            "That's more like it!" Ginny said happily. "So why don't you buy me a butterbeer and have a sitdown?" She winked at him. As they headed in that direction, Ron and Parvati almost ran them over.

            "Harry! Ginny!  You won't believe what I just saw!" Ron shouted.

            "Was it Snuffles?" Ginny guessed.

            "Dementors" Harry guessed fearfully. Ginny elbowed him.

            "Dementors?!" Parvati looked around, paranoid. Ginny burst out laughing.

            "No! Hell, listen! Fred and Hermione were snogging inside Three Broomsticks!"

            "Oh Lordy!" Ginny exclaimed. Harry's eyes widened. "C'mon Harry! We've got to see this!" Ginny grabbed Harry's hand and they ran the rest of the way. Quickly, they got a table where they could see Fred and Hermione. But they obviously didn't see Harry and Ginny, though. Hermione was staring at Fred and he was telling a very animated story. Fred finished, leaving Hermione in stitches.

            "Don't look now," He said, "But Ginny and Harry are here." Hermione smiled mischievously and stole a glance at her best friends.  Fred turned her face to his and Hermione closed her eyes.

            "Oh. My. God." Ginny's face went blank. Harry looked over his shoulder.

            "I've never seen Hermione…kiss…anyone!"

            "And Fred?" Ginny added incredulously.

            "Whoa."

            Finally, the two pulled apart.

            "I think we've got them shocked, too." Fred grinned at Hermione and looked at Harry and his sister.

            "I've never done anything this," she searched for a word. "devious before."

            "I bet you never had this much fun, either?" Hermione looked up at Fred and smiled.

            "No. I don't think I have."

            A/N: Okay, hit that little review button! To everyone (yeah, like there's a lot…*wink wink*) who had reviewed previously:

            Starwarsfreak: thank you!

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            Poetbrit: thanx a lot!!

            Meteorlight8: I'm glad you like!